Child and adolescent psychiatry with community-friend Dr. Malena Banks
Good mental health is essential to a healthy childhood and family life. Here I chat with one of my favorite local Psychiatrists, Dr. Malena Banks, who I first met while working for DC Medicaid. From dreaming of becoming a pediatrician, to being called to practice child and adolescent psychiatry, to owning her own business. Join us as she shares her story.
What is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and what does your average day look like?
A Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (CAP) is a psychiatrist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of common childhood and adolescent mental health disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression and anxiety. We have specialized medical training in how the body works, the effects of medication, and an understanding of human behavior. We can both prescribe medication and provide guidance on managing these disorders. I usually tell my kiddos, for whom I treat, that I’m a feelings doctor and help them with their feelings especially the ones that may sometimes get in the way of them doing stuff.
Depending on the day of the week, you may see me in a school setting observing and or providing care; a residential such as an adolescent therapeutic group home setting or seeing patients in my private practice clinic. In addition, you will see me mentoring students who are interested in the community psychiatry pathway and becoming a doctor. I love to mentor the next generation of clinicians and get them excited about this work.
How did you know becoming a Psychiatrist was the path for you?
Great question. Honestly, I didn’t know growing up or when entering medical school that I was interested in psychiatry. I always knew I wanted to be a doctor because of certain images I saw on television, because of my biology teacher who believed in cultivating young minds around STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and therefore I thought biology was cool, and I had a pediatrician I loved and who always took extra time to explain things to me on my visits. Therefore, I went to medical school to become a pediatrician. And although I loved my pediatric rotation, I did find myself interested in a lot of patient’s social issues that were affecting them at home and school but I didn’t have enough time to address them all. I just figured I would structure my practice differently once I completed my training. And then I entered my very last rotation of medical school, psychiatry clinic and it was child psychiatry day. I remember spending almost an hour talking to a patient about what was bothering them and apparently this patient hadn’t ever shared this information with their treating team. It was that day I knew I wanted to do child psychiatry. Actually, I think that this profession chose me.
What was your path to becoming the founder/ owner of your business?
Ha! Rocky! Well, the idea was easy however the implementation was challenging but absolutely worth it. I met my business partner and fellow child psychiatrist, Dr. Otema Adade, when we were in medical training as we shared a vision of opening a private practice that would cater to the community in Ward 7 & 8 in Southeast DC. We knew that these communities often lack specialized services and are presented with multiple barriers of care. We wanted to help to change that so after we completed our medical training, we worked together in a government run community mental health clinic to further understand DC and its mental health services. I also worked at a health insurance company to better understand that side of the medicine. The process took about four years in planning to develop our practice.
What do you wish parents knew about your services?
At Lotus Behavioral Health, we take a comprehensive, holistic approach. We take time to understand the needs of the child, their families with our extensive evaluations before we come up with a treatment plan that involves everyone’s input. I also want folks to know that we aren’t quick to prescribe medication but rather focusing on appropriate sleep, eating habits, exercising, talk or play therapy as important tools in one’s toolbox.
What are things you say over and over to your patients that you wish could be shared with the masses?
Just a few simple things to keep in mind. It is important to be an active participant in your treatment, don’t put off self-care activities, get your appropriate rest, be mindful of foods that you put in your body and get your body moving. We have found in multiple scientific studies how these simple practices can promote mental health and wellness.
I don’t believe in work life balance, but what are some of the ways you find harmony in your work and life?
I believe in practicing what I recommend to patients. I am big on setting boundaries with staff and patients and practicing self-care. I am especially intentional about winding down my work day and transitioning into my home life. Also exercising is my mental wellness activity of choice.
What is something you wish every parent or family did?
Tell a family, friend, loved one that it is okay to seek help especially if you’ve had a positive experience with a mental health provider. This can help break down stigmas and normalize getting a mental health checkup the same way we get our physical exams.
Are there any recent and worrying trends that you are seeing in your field?
Yes actually. With this pandemic, I am seeing an uptick in depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviors and attempts. There weren’t enough mental health providers prior to the pandemic and now the system is really stretched to its limits. I worry that we aren’t able to see all those in need. As a nation, we are appropriately focusing on the vaccine for COVID but we haven’t had the time to really consider the psychological toll this is having on not only adults but our kids.
Can you share more about your training?
I am a double board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. I completed 4 years of medical school and 4 years of psychiatry residency training at Howard University. I then completed an additional 2 years of specialized training in a child psychiatry fellowship at Georgetown University.
What online resources do you frequently share with patients?
Recently, I co-authored a children’s book with a child psychologist, Dr. Maryam Jernigan-Noesi, entitled ‘I Miss My Friend’ available on Amazon.com. It was created to help kiddos talk about their feelings and this pandemic. It also has a parent section at the end of the book to provide concrete tips and strategies. For more information, www.sisterfriendbooks.com; IG – Sister_friendbooks and FB @ SisterFriendBooks.
In addition there are some great resources I have listed under the ‘Helpful Information’ tab on my website www.lotusbehaviorhealth.com. It includes links to American Academy of Child Psychiatry, CDC and other mental health alliances.
If folks want to get in touch with you, how should they do so?
Yes of course. Lotus Behavioral Health is located in the Capitol Hill area, 401 15th Street SE, Washington, DC. The phone number is 202-37-6872 and website is www.lotusbehaviorhealth.com. On social media – IG: @LotusBehavioralHealth @DocBanksMD; FB@ Lotus Behavioral Health and @BanksPsych.